Table Tennis Australia announce 2022 National Volunteer and Coach Awards Program winners

Over the past two weeks Table Tennis Australia has been progressively making online announcements around the winners of the TTA National Volunteer and Coach Awards Program.

The awards recognise the remarkable achievements of those people making a significant and genuine contribution to the sport.

TTA CEO Scott Houston said volunteers and coaches are the lifeblood of table tennis.

“Put simply our great sport would not function without passionate volunteers giving their time,” Houston said.

“Additionally, coaches are crucially important from a grass roots level right through to the elite level.”

“We know that volunteers and coaches don’t give their time to receive public recognition, but TTA believes it’s important to thank those who contribute so much,” he added.

TTA congratulates all award winners from the 2022 National Volunteer and Coach Awards and special mention to Mick Coughlan, who has the honour of being awarded the Bev and Brian James Trophy as the 2022 National Volunteer of the Year.

The National Volunteer and Coach Awards will be held again in 2023 and TTA encourages all clubs/associations to put forward nominations.

Check out all the award recipients below.

Community Coach of the Year Award

George Logothetis (ACT) – Table Tennis ACT

We caught up with George online to discuss his coaching journey, which began in Greece and has taken him to three Australian States/Territories (so far), and what inspires him to coach the sport he loves. The interview can be viewed in the video below.

Congratulations George on being the first ever TTA Community Coach of the Year. You're a worthy winner.

High Performance Coach of the Year Award (Joint Winners)

Joe Gerada (VIC) – LOOPS Table Tennis

To hear from Joe about his long and successful coaching career, check out the video below.

Congratulations Joe on being the joint winner in the first ever TTA High-Performance Coach of the Year. A deserved winner after many years of service to our great game.

Rahul Mathew (VIC) – Croydon and Districts TTA

Rahul's table tennis journey began in India, but it wasn't until he arrived in Australia that he discovered his talent for and love of coaching. Check out the video of our interview with Rahul below.

Congratulations Rahul on being the joint winner in the first ever TTA High-Performance Coach of the Year. Recognition of your valuable contribution to the game.

25 Years of Service to Table Tennis Award

Song Chen (ACT) – Table Tennis ACT

Song has been around table tennis since his childhood and has contributed along the journey in just about every role you can think of. We caught up with Song to hear about why he's still as passionate about volunteering now as he was 25 years ago.

Congratulations Song.

Mick Coughlan (QLD) – Gold Coast TTA

Mick's love of the game started in Geelong, and it has remained a constant in his life, where he now resides on the Gold Coast. Hear from Mick about his journey in the sport in the video below.

Congratulations Mick.

Young Official of the Year Award

Frank Chen (QLD) – Brisbane TTA

We caught up with Frank to see what motivated him to become an official, and how its allowing him to have the best seat in the house in the sport that he loves. Check out the video of our interview with Frank below.

Congratulations Frank on being awarded the Young Official of the of the Year. We look forward to following your journey on the path to Brisbane 2032, and hope you inspire more young people to become involved in officiating.

Fran Keyhoe Official of the Year Award

Joseph Fung (NSW)

Joseph has been an asset to Table Tennis in Australia since relocating here from Hong Kong, significantly contributing at state, national and international level. Check out the video of our interview with Joseph below.

Congratulations Joseph on being recognised as the Official of the Year. You are a worthy winner indeed.

Club/Association of the Year Award

Port Sorell Table Tennis Club (TAS)

A relatively young club, PSTCC has grown its membership base and has many offerings for its local community. Programs are offered for all ages and abilities, with the club being proud of its affiliation with Special Olympics Australia. The club is extremely active in the schools space, having delivered to over 1,000 children in 2022. Not bad when you consider the population of Port Sorell is just over 2,000!

The club's motto is "Fuelled by Fun, Powered by Positivity"! We caught up with Graeme and Christa Foulis to hear all about the club's short, yet productive history. Check out the video below.

Congratulations to everyone at Port Sorell Table Tennis Club, you've started something special and we look forward to seeing the club go on to bigger and better things.

50 years of Service to Table Tennis Award

Don Cheyne (VIC) – Eastern Suburbs and Churches TTA

Don is a dedicated volunteer who has endeared himself to many during his time as a player, coach and administrator over his long journey in in our sport. We caught up with Don to hear all about his lifetime in table tennis. Check out the video below.

Congratulations Don, you're an asset to the sport of table tennis.

Cynthia Langley OAM (SA) – Table Tennis South Australia

Cynthia has contributed to the sport of table tennis at a club, state and national level for over 50 years now. Cynthia has had a very decorated career as a player and equally has shown an outstanding commitment to service as an administrator over the years.

Congratulations Cynthia, you are admired across the sport of table tennis nationwide.

Agnes Herbertson (QLD) – Gold Coast TTA

Agnes has been a most valued volunteer throughout her journey in our sport and admired by all those who have had the fortune to meet and know her. We caught up with Agnes to get her thoughts on a lifetime of commitment to the sport she loves. Check out the video below.

Congratulations Agnes, fitting recognition indeed.

Administrator of the Year Award

Brian Zammit (VIC) – Coburg Table Tennis Club

Brian Zammit has taken on the role of President of Coburg table tennis club in extremely difficult times.The previous president had to resign as he moved to the country and the Secretary left at around the same time. Around the same time the Club manager retired after 15 years as Covid left the club in a position where little or no income was coming in. Brian took on roles of President, acting Secretary for a short time and Club manager (unpaid). Now three years later he is still President, the clubs Manager and Pennant organiser - all on a volunteer basis!

He helps run the junior coaching program, is in charge of the very successful Saturday coaching program and the driving force behind the dealings with the Moreland council as the club continues its push for extensions.
Brian no longer is a player as he is too busy running all the competitions on Tuesday, Wednesday and the Juniors Friday night competition/weekly tournaments.
He is also running the canteen and does the shopping when re stocking the canteen. Other committees he serves on are the Hall of Fame and Club disciplinary committees.
Brian is not just an asset to his club, but the game of table tennis itself. Clubs are built on volunteers such as him

Congratulations Brian on being recognised as the Administrator of the Year.

Bev and Brian James Trophy – National Volunteer of the Year

Mick Coughlan (QLD) – Gold Coast TTA

After receiving an award for 25 years of service, Mick has been selected from all award winners to be named winner of the Bev and Brian James Trophy as the National Volunteer of the Year for 2022 – which is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a volunteer in Australian table tennis. Congratulations Mick, you’re a worthy winner of this prestigious award.